8 Volt or Optima Battery for 6 Volt System

Hotflashjr · May 3, 2016

It seems every year my batter in my MT, original 6 volt system, craps out. At this point I have ruled out it being the electrical system. Rebuilt starter, generator, new wiring, not cut out, new switch. Everything has good ground, everything works as it should except I get 9-12 months out of a battery. I have been buying 6 volt batteries from Tractor Supply. Well bought one and usually within the 1 year warranty on the battery I am back for a new one. At this same stage again this year but I am sick of dealing with this tractor and its battery issues. I went to the local Interstate Battery dealer and he told me to go to a 8 volt Interstate or 6 volt Optima. He sells both, both are about $150. I have long been an optima battery fan in my vehicles. Is anyone using the Optima 6 volt or an 8 volt in a 6 volt system?

And yes I think the Tractor Supply batteries are just cheap junk at this point.

David G · May 3, 2016

I would see no reason the 6V would fail unless you are overcharging it, or abusing it with bouncing.

jeo46 · May 3, 2016

Try keeping a trickle charger on 6 volt batteries once every two weeks or so. I have had great success doing this on 6 volt batteries. Is there a lite current drain in the system? Unhook the battery cable after using tractor and see if battery stays charged.

John T · May 3, 2016

I, a retired electrical engineer and past used tractor dealer, am NOT a fan of going the 8 volt battery route, but that's your choice. That being said, while I am a believer in AGM battery technology, they can be a bit more sensitive as far as proper charging voltages and charge levels then lead acid, and your charging system (even if in perfect condition) isn't the latest and greatest technology you know. In my RV I may go AGM HOWEVER my smart 4 stage charger and smart solar charge controller have settings for AGM versus lead acid.

Soooooooooooooo since you have an old technology charging system and even if the VR can be adjusted up to accommodate 8 volts and ifffffffffffff you go the AGM route (which is even more sensitive to proper complete charging) I THINK I WOULD STICK TO 6 VOLTS AND NOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT A JURY RIGGED EVEN HARDER TO CORRECTLY CHARGE 8 VOLT SYSTEM.

Buy the highest Amp Hour rated 6 volt AGM that will fit in the box,,,,,,,,, have you genny and VR or cutout etc well tuned and up to par USE O BETTER YET 00 GAUGE BATERY AND STARTER AND GROUND CABLES

That's my story n Ima stickin to it

John T

DScott · May 3, 2016

I used to have the same problem with the 6 volt batteries in my old tractors and cars and the 12 volt one in my ATV. Some of them didn't get used much but a couple of times a year and batteries were always dead after 3-6 months. I started leaving them hooked up to Battery-Tender brand battery maintainers and it pretty much solved my problem. Now I get several years out of my batteries. I have one hooked up to the battery on my goose neck trailer used only for the winch and hydraulic ramps that is 6 years old and still going strong. Kind of expensive up front but has after 7-8 years now saved me money. I only use Battery-Tender brand as I have heard of some of the cheap ones starting fires.
I have never used an 8 volt battery. If everything is in good working order 6 volts works fine.

Hotflashjr · May 3, 2016

I do have it bolted into the factory battery tray with the hold down so the battery isn't free moving inside the compartment. When I had the generator rebuilt they set it to charge at 6 volts and that is what my multimeter has shown is usually a tad over 6 volts of output.

Hotflashjr · May 3, 2016

I thought the drain was the case and had a friend who works on JD's tell me to look at a starter rebuild as it could cause a drain during starting. Had the starter rebuilt by a good shop locally. I cannot get a reading with the multimeter when the tractor is off showing any drain but I am not sure how sensitive the meter should be to detect a small drain. I was thinking about the trickle charger with a new battery but I use the tractor at least weekly, if not more, year round. This past winter with limited snow was probably the longest period it sat between use with 3-4 week intervals.

Hotflashjr · May 3, 2016

Thanks John I was hoping you would chime in. I followed your process for testing everything and have already got 00 gauge starter cable on the tractor but have been using the braided ground. I will switch that over to 00 gauge cable as well. Without being an expert I would venture to say the genny and cutout are well tuned using your previous posts and the manuals I have.

I think I will go with your suggestion on the AGM and look at a trickle charger at the same time.

Hotflashjr · May 3, 2016

I used to keep my ATV and Harley on trickle chargers year round and never had any issues on those smaller type batteries. I guess the trickle charger is a good choice in this case if I am going to get yet another new battery.

M-MAN · May 3, 2016

It ain't your system or your mounting or any abuse factor. It's failing because 6v batteries are junk. 8v won't help you. Optima's aren't good for intermittent use and they tell you that up front. You can go to Deere and get a better battery but don't expect miricales.

I know all these guy's will tell you how great a 6v system is and how their batteries last 10 to 12 years. Hogwash! I've bought a ton of them in my day and NEVER had one last over a year. As you have found out it doesn't matter that your system is perfect. The battery's are still junk. They are good for a restoration you aren't going to use and pert near worthless on a worker. Workers need 12v. If it sounds like I hate them I do! I've pushed, pulled, and rolled too many back when I was young enough to do it. It ain't ever gonna happen again. All the 6v parts to put my M's back original are on a shelf in the basement. As long as I'm living that's where they will stay.

David G · May 3, 2016

Why not go with 12V and good alternator, will last 5-7 years.

Catskill Pete · May 3, 2016

M-Man here is another who is in complete agreement with you. If I had a restored "trailer queen" to play with maybe. But for a working tractor 6v. is nothing but a headache.

Mike M · May 3, 2016

8 v are asking for even more issues. When I was running my 6 volt tractors I could get 3 or 4 years out of a battery in the 440 crawler loader /backhoe. This machine took a lot to start it with the large hyd. pump. I could then remove the battery from it and get another year or a little more in another tractor like a B or the M. I have not bought a 6 volt in many years so I don't know who might make a decent one. I was thinking if I ever did I might try an optima. FIT who used to post here had them in some of his tractors. I had good luck with Interstate in the past.

Brendon-KS · May 3, 2016

I'm one to disagree. Both of my regular-use tractors, a Deere M and a Farmall 350, have original 6 volt systems. In the 15+ years I've had the M the battery has been replaced twice and it has never failed to start, even in 15 degree weather to blade snow. The replacements have always come from discount "farm stores"; nothing name-brand. I've only had the 350 for a few years and haven't touched the battery yet. If a battery needs to be replaced every year I believe a better battery is just masking an underlying problem that is still there.

John T · May 3, 2016

The braided cable may be fine, just because its braided for superior flexibility doesn't necessarily mean its ampacity is insufficient IE it may be 1 or 0 or 00 I don't know???

John T

James Howell · May 3, 2016

In the past, we also bought batteries for TSC.

Some would last longer than others.

A few lasted less than one year, but they were always replaced at no charge.

Took one back and was told there was nothing wrong with it and that they would not replace it.

Been buying Interstate batteries for at least the last three years.

So far no problems with the 6 volt Interstate batteries for our M and MTs.

Hope this helps.

Dan in Ohio · May 3, 2016

I have to agree with your experience with TSC batteries. Most of the farm stores carry Excide batteries with various names on them. Keeping them in my pony start diesels is a chore unless they are used regularly . I have had good success with the battery tender brand trickle chargers too. Recently bought a 6V from Rural King (Excide battery) for $39.00. Will see how that works out.

rhtx55 · May 3, 2016

I had the same luck with TS & various brands of six volt batteries as you have had. Tried the 8 volt route for a couple of years got tired of filing points & replacing light bulbs. The sealed beams on my F300 got kinda pricey.
Purchased an Optima red Top six volt & haven't had any charging or starting issue since.
I live in Texas ... so not so many cold starts, but I would definitely recommend one here in the summertime.

I am not personally sold on the alternator route unless you use it every day. Everyone I have met down here who converted it themselves have issues with the 12 volt battery going down after sitting for a length of time.

Old weldor · May 3, 2016

Go to Wallmart, buy a Schumacher battery maintainer for $19.95. Works on 6 or 12 volt. Your battery problems will be over. I have many old cars and tractors still on 6 volt. I just replaced one in my 1950 ford that was ten years old.

David G · May 3, 2016

You want it to charge to about 7 - 7.5 volts, 6V will not charge a 6V battery, which is actually about 6.3 volts fully charged.

FBH44 · May 4, 2016

I just go to O'Reilly's and buy. Last one for my MF lasted 12 years.

OhioTractorGuy · May 4, 2016

Just an opinion; but with eight or so 420/430 tractors that get used at various times for various jobs the six volt Optima has been a great battery for me. I bought one seven? eight? years ago and it still does the job. When not in use I do keep it on a trickle charge designed for these types of batteries. . . it is much lighter than the standard 6V battery which makes it nice to carry to the tractor/put it in. Dad told me I was wasting money buying that expensive battery (I think it was $200), but Ive caught him using it more than once when his standard six volts have died!

akwells · May 4, 2016

I had 2 Optima 6 volts in my 4020 and they lasted for about 10 years. I always kept them on battery tenders. However, I have read in other threads that the new Optimas are not the same as the old ones and may be made in Mexico or something, and are not considered to be as good.

I ended up replacing them with a USA made Odyssey 12 volt.

Speaking of TSC, the last battery I bought there was dead on the shelf. I should have taken the multimeter in the store with me.

Hotflashjr · May 5, 2016

You got me thinking but for what I have spent getting the 6 volt up to snuff the past two years my stubborn side will not let me take it out and go to 12 volt.

Hotflashjr · May 5, 2016

I always go with Optima's in everything else, if not an Interstate and have very limited battery issues besides this MT. My plan is to get the 6 volt Optima and a trickle charger and hopefully be done.

Hotflashjr · May 5, 2016

Thanks James. It seems the general consensus on here is TSC batteries are not great so I am going to turn this one in for a core charge and move on to hopefully the Optima and if it doesn't fit in the tray an Interstate. The local Interstate dealer sells both and he is not sure he has an Optima to fit in the original tray/holder.

Hotflashjr · May 5, 2016

Never thought of doing that but I bet some are DOA. Quite a few of them have a layer of dust on them that are pretty thick at my local TSC!

thehobbyshop · May 10, 2016

I have used a 6V Optima, fit in the 6V battery tray at a 45deg angle. Has lasted 10 Years, but the key is the heaviest battery cables you can find, I use 00 welding cable, also heavy ground wire. The #4 automotive cable that someone put on my old tractor made the starter drag. After the 00 cable, it starts like a 12V system!

Take Care,
Todd

8 Volt or Optima Battery for 6 Volt System

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